UNION WEAKENS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 1210, 7 January 1925, Page 5

UNION WEAKENS

SEAMEN DESIRE CONFERENCE. • MANY UNEMPLOYED. [By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] Received January 7. 10.3 C a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 7. It is learned from reliablo quarters that the officials of tho Seamen s Union are not satisfied with the Communist Hall as a picking up arrangement, and would welcome a conference upon the matter as a graceful way out of the difficulty. It is also thought that they are desirous of negotiations for a settlement of the overtime dispute on account of the growing fear that this will lead to de-registration. It is not expected that the Union Company will be affected by the dispute in regard to the picking up places. Two vessels, the Kannan and the Makura, will be kid up for overhaul, and about 280 men of all marine callings will be idled. It is estimated that about 3000 men are unemployed as a result of the strike. Some of them have registered with the Labour Department for employment in other callings.—Press Association.

THE ULIMAROA. • ADVICE TO PASSENGERS. Received January 7, 11.20 a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 7. Owing to the uncertainty in connection with the shipping trouble the Huddart Parkrr Company advertise the next sailing of the Ulimaroa on January 16. In tho meantime they advise intending passengers to watch the advertisements for a possible earlier departure.—Press Association. POSITION IN ADELAIDE. Received January 7, 10.40 a.m. ADELAIDE, Jan. 7. On tho arrival of the steamer Clan Munroe, she was regarded as "black" by all the maritime unions. The seamen refused to man the pilot vessel or to assist in berthing operations. . The "VVatersiders' Federation refused to carry out the instructions received from the Federal executive regarding the working of the vessel in the terms of the recent agreement.—Press Association. POWER BEHIND STRIKE. DICTATED BY ANARCHISTS. SYDNEY, Jan. G. While speaking at a luncheon aboard the new Orient liner Orama, Mr Dunlop, president of the Chamber of Commerce, exhorted tho Federal and State Governments to take action in the shipping dispute to prevent a few reds, at the dictation of a party of anarchists in . another country, bringing ruin to the Commonwealth. Sir George Fuller, in reply, said that his Government would support in every way in its power the soldier wharf labourers, to whom preferences had been promised. The men would be given their own bureau, which would be housed in Government-owned premises, and would be open on Wednesday. The" old bureau closed to-night, members being given a week's wages in lieu of notice.

The crew of the Suva was paid off and the vessel has been tied Up indefinitely. Much dissatisfaction is expressed by the idle seamen, as they are not receiving strike pay. It is stated that by the end of the week the majority of them will have registered at the Government labour bureau for other employment. Hopes of a settlement are now more remote. The Melbourne owners -are determined not to accede to the men's demands that crews be, picked up at union rooms. The Loongana, for Tasmania, and the Karoola, for Sydney, due to sail today, were both held up, the owners stating they would only engage crews in the usual way.

Mr Justice Powers announced that notice was given to the parties to the waterfront dispute in December that the Federal Arbitration Court was available at any time to hear any application with regard to a. dispute or to call a conference or intervene, if any of the parties so desired, and notice has been given fixing Tuesday next tentatively for the hearing of the dispute. Mr Justice Powers concluded by stating that he was still available to call a compulsory conference or te intervene if any of the parties think lie could assist in settling the dispute. —Press Association.

TASMANIA ISOLATED.

HOBART, Jan. G. The Chamber of Commerce has asked the 'Federal Government to take action to restore communication with the mainland, stating that hundreds of visitors from the mainland are stranded and a shortage of supplies is threatened as a result of the tying up of the steamer Nairana.—Press Association. "POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND. NO IMMEDIATE DANGER. Per Press Association WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. Mr W. T. Young, the secretary of the Seamen's Union, stated to-day thr.t there was no immediate danger of tho Australian shipping dispute spreading to New Zealand. "We are in no way affected so far," he said, "and shipping from New Zealand has not suffered in any way. I have hud no official communication from the Australian unions." Mr Young added that he believed the trouble in Australia as to the picking of crews was the least of the issues involved. The most important was the Commonwealth Government changing the register of its vessels to London, and taking on crews under English articles at Australian rates of pfty. Mr Young alleged that the Union Company was also introducing this practice on some of its ships, notably the steamer Sussex.